Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Being "churched" and being saved

The Seeking Disciple is afraid the popular term "unchurched" may be part of a larger effort to avoid the language of sin and redemption:
The Bible uses specific terms to describe the lost. The Bible describes all of us as guilty before God (Romans 3:23), we are all depraved and lost (Isaiah 53:6), our "righteousness" is said to be filthy rags before a pure and holy God (Isaiah 64:6). Paul described himself in 1 Timothy 1:15 as the "chief of sinners" (KJV). Peter, on the day of Pentecost, not only told his hearers (potential customers to church growth experts) to repent and be baptised (Acts 2:38) but he said that they were to be saved from this perverse generation (Acts 2:40 NASB). Paul, speaking to the "unchurched" or "unsynagogued" of Athens, told them that God has previously overlooked their ignorance (wow) but He now commands all people to repent (Acts 17:30-31). Jesus Himself said that all people were to repent lest they die (Luke 13:1-5). Jesus further taught His Apostles to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins (two terms not to be found with the "unchurched"; see Luke 24:47). . . .

Others may continue to use the term "unchurched" but if the "unchurched" are not becoming true disciples of Jesus and simply members of the organised church, they will never have eternal life.
True.

2 Comments:

Blogger Sista Cala said...

Ian at ROTLC has posted something about some related terms floating around.
http://rotlc.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-relevant-phrase.html

my apologies on the link format, I have gotten rusty.

Keep up the good work, Milton.

11:01 PM, August 16, 2009  
Blogger Milton Stanley said...

Thanks for the link, Carla, and glad to hear from you again. I'll go over to ROTLC and have a look.

9:09 AM, August 17, 2009  

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